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COVENANT

COVENANT. AGREEMENT. ETYMOLOGICAL DEFINITION. The Hebrew word for covenant is berit which could mean various things, “Shackle”, “Cut”. It came to mean a form of binding agreement between people and the god. BIBLICAL USAGE OF BERIT.

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COVENANT

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  1. COVENANT AGREEMENT

  2. ETYMOLOGICAL DEFINITION • The Hebrew word for covenant is berit which could mean various things, “Shackle”, “Cut”. • It came to mean a form of binding agreement between people and the god.

  3. BIBLICAL USAGE OF BERIT • “The term berit expresses the solemn contract between Jacob and Laban (Gen 31:44) . • The alliance of friendship between David and Jonathan (Sam 18:3).

  4. The peace pact between Abraham and the tribes of the Amorites (Gen 14:13). • The bondage of marriage in Proverbs 2:17 and Malachi 2:14. • A solemn treaty between Kings, as in the case of Solomon and Hiram of Tire 1Kings 5. • Special alliance between Yahweh and Israel.

  5. IMPORTANCE OF THE SINAI COVENANT • Most Israelite prophets echoed many of the covenant ideals. • The post-exilic reforms of Ezra the scribe (458-400 BC) were centered on a covenant renewal. • It provided a framework of understanding God’s earlier promises to Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

  6. It gives the whole Pentateuch its character as Torah or instruction. • The covenant becomes the standard to judge Israel’s national success or failure. • It was used as the measuring stick for the Kings of Israel (Samuel and Kings). • It shapes the thought of Deuteronomy in interpreting the story of Israel.

  7. CHARACTERISTICS OF YAHWEH’S COVENANT AND ISRAEL • People bound to a covenant with Yahweh. • God has made his love and mercy known to them. • He has given them the Commandments. • The people owe him worship, fidelity and obedience. • The people are marked by the sign of the covenant – circumcision.

  8. RESULTS OF THE COVENANT • Unity based on one God. • God pledges to be Israel’s personal protector and helper. • God would be present at all times and situations. • Yahweh demands undivided loyalty. • Some people fell short of the demands of the covenant. • Was the idea of a covenant unique to Israel?

  9. TYPES OF ANCIENT COVENANTS • There were two types of treats/covenants. 1. Parity Treaty: This was made between equal kings. 2. Vassal Treaty: This was made between an overlord/major power and the subdued/ conquered nations.

  10. THE STRUCTURE OF A COVENANT P.148 0F A HITTITE COVENANT. 1. The Preamble: Name and Title. 2. The Historical prologue: Report of previous good deeds. 3. The Stipulations/Demands 4. Deposit of the treaty in a Temple. 5. The list of witnesses: gods. 6. The curses and Blessings: end the Treaty.

  11. ISRAELITE COVENANT Similarities 1. Preamble: God gives his name, reasons (Ex19:3-6, 20:2). 2. Stipulations/Demands: Ten Commandments (Ex 20: 3-17)/Covenant code (Ex 20:22 to chapter 23:19). 3. The Deposit of the Treaty: tablets used for a permanent record. 4. Curses and Blessings: Missing.

  12. THE PENTATEUCH AS LAW • Scholars have grouped these into 6 groups: • The Law of the Covenant (Ex21-23). • The Ten Commandments (Ex 20 and Deut 5). • The Cult Commandments (Ex34). • Laws on sacrificed and feast days (Lev 1-16). • The Holiness Code (Lev 17-26). • The Deuteronomist Laws.

  13. TWO MAJOR TYPES OF LAW 1. Case/Caustic Laws: They give condition and penalties. 2. Apodictic Laws: No case and penalties are stipulated as Ten Commandments. • There were similar laws in Hammurabi’s code.

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